Going truly custom - it's all in the details

As many of you know, REW IDX is a true "custom" platform. What this means is that our customers can have us make custom changes to our CORE system in any way they can think of with only 1 real limitation, that limitation being we cannot violate the rules of the MLS board (Our changes must pass compliance).

One of the most common questions asked of me is "What is the difference from just sticking with CORE (Out of the BOX) REW IDX vs customization. Below I am going to provide an example of just one small element (The layout of a listing in the search results) which I have personally worked on the customization for to provide an example of the difference between CORE and going very custom. (Hopefull customers will get an appreciation for why these things cost so much as well)

Example of CORE property display in search results

This is the standard listings display of a property in the search results if a customer were to just purchase CORE IDX with no extra custom design, programming or SEO time. It has what it needs, basic info, a thumbnail, calls to action for adding to favorites and viewing details etc - what you would expect an IDX basic search result view to look like right? Certainly nothing wrong with it and this layout has proven quite effective for our CORE IDX users. (Please be advised that the screenshot has been resized to fit in my blog, the actual search result is larger and a lot more clear than this screenshot)

Example of a customized property display in search results

Now I will provide a detailed breadown of customizations, including estimated time required to complete and cost. Please be advised that the screenshot has been resized to fit in my blog, the actual search result is larger and a lot more clear than this screenshot cost is estimated actual final cost of the project is private information)

Finished work viewable at http://www.eddykicker.com/downtown-greenville-sc-area-information

Here is a breakdown of the time and effort put into just this very simple element:

• My time: Consulting with client & Designer, and creation of custom SEO friendly title rewrite 2 hours @ $250 USD per hour
• Design time: Several iterations to get it "just right" as well as creation and coloring of customized icons ~10 hours @ $100 USD per hour.
• Programming support 1 hour at $100 USD per hour
• Total cost (This is an estimate not actual cost) $1,600 USD

As you can see, for just that one small site element, to do truly custom work there is a lot more involved (In both time and in cost) that you may realize at first glance.

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